The condition of redness and swelling of the head and face, especially when it extends to the ears and cheeks, is referred to as head and face redness and swelling.

Head and face redness and swelling is different from general facial edema. The former is characterized by swelling with a red color, mostly limited to the face, often accompanied by heat and pain; the latter is characterized by a water-like color, often affecting the lower limbs or the whole body. Head and face redness and swelling mostly indicates a heat pattern, an excess pattern; edema, on the other hand, can be differentiated into cold and heat, deficiency and excess. The distinction between the two is not difficult to make.

The discussion of head and face redness and swelling in this section does not include simple "nasal swelling," "lip swelling," "eyelid edema," etc. The differentiation of these symptoms is discussed in separate sections.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Warm-heat︰The head and face are red, swollen, and enlarged, with swelling and pain in the throat. Initially, there is aversion to cold and fever, followed by the cessation of aversion to cold and an intensification of feverish symptoms. In severe cases, there may be unconsciousness, delirious speech, deafness, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, a yellow tongue coating, and a surging, rapid pulse. It is also known as "swollen-head infection" or "major head cold-damage disease," and is more prevalent in winter and spring. The disease is caused by exposure to warm toxin, which attacks the head and eyes, leading to redness and swelling of the head and face. Yu Shi-yu's "Treatise on Pestilence" states: "The head is the summit of all yang, and swelling of the head and face indicates an upward attack of toxic fire." The throat serves as the gateway to the lungs and stomach, and when toxic fire scorches these organs, throat swelling and pain occur. Key diagnostic points include redness, swelling, and enlargement of the head and face, accompanied by symptoms of heat toxin overwhelming the lungs and stomach (such as throat swelling and pain, high fever, thirst, and a yellow tongue coating). Treatment should focus on clearing heat and removing toxins, with the recommended formula being Universal Relief Decoction for Eliminating Toxin. If accompanied by yangming fu-organ excess, add Rhubarb Rhizome to purge excess heat.
2. Wind-heat Disturbing the Upper︰Facial swelling and redness, numbness or itching, aversion to wind headache, sore throat, slight thirst, tongue coating thin and yellow, floating and rapid pulse. It can occur in all four seasons. The disease cause is the invasion of wind-heat, leading to the stagnation of defense qi, with wind-heat disturbing the head and face, resulting in facial swelling and redness. It can also be caused by excessive consumption of rich and greasy food, leading to internal accumulation of heat, compounded by exposure to wind, where wind and heat combine to attack the head and face.

   Key points of pattern identification: Redness and swelling of the head and face, but the swelling is less severe than that caused by warm seasonal toxin. Local itching, as if insects are crawling under the skin, fever with mild heat intensity. Additionally, there are symptoms of wind-heat stagnation in the defense aspect (aversion to wind, headache, floating and rapid pulse). Treatment should focus on dispersing wind and clearing heat, and the recommended formula is Saposhnikovia Sage-Inspired Powder with modifications.

3. Accidental Poisoning︰Swelling and redness of the face, dry mouth, numbness of the tongue, nausea, vomiting, severe constipation, or accompanied by chills and fever. The cause of the disease is the accidental ingestion of wild vegetables or other toxic substances, with the toxic qi entering the blood and rising to the head and face, resulting in redness and swelling of the head and face. Key points of differentiation: In addition to redness and swelling of the head and face, there are symptoms of toxic qi entering the stomach (dry mouth, numbness of the tongue, nausea, vomiting). In the initial stage of treatment, it is advisable to induce vomiting with a light salt solution, followed by frequent consumption of a decoction made from raw Liquorice Root and Mung Bean, then taking Universal Relief Decoction for Eliminating Toxin with modifications, or using a decoction of raw Rhubarb Rhizome and Senna Leaf to purge the toxins.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. The "Xiangyan Jing" states: "Yin deficiency leads to wind and yang floating upwards, causing facial swelling and deafness." "Yangming dryness-heat results in fluid deficiency, with wind and yang ascending adversely, leading to hot swelling of the face."
2. Yizong Jinjian ．Waike Xinfa Essentials: "Facial seborrheic dermatitis is caused by dryness-heat and dampness, resulting in facial swelling, itching as if insects are crawling, skin flaking with extreme itchiness, and the oozing of yellow fluid causing pain and bleeding."
3. "Diagnostics of Chinese Medicine": "Leprosy symptoms: the face shows red or white patches like clouds or raised blocks, with both ears distending and painful, accompanied by the loss of eyebrows." "Swelling is substantial, caused by wind and fire flaring upwards, with redness, swelling, and heat, or pain upon pressure, indicating excess pathogenic qi, with a tight pulse and symptoms of cold and heat; facial puffiness is due to deficiency, caused by overstrain injuring the spleen, with spleen and lung yang deficiency, leading to abnormal transformation and resulting in a puffy face without pain but with heat, indicating insufficient healthy qi, with a soft and weak appearance and a weak pulse."